Yumeya Presents Oxbow WLT Hosts All-Star International Lineup

TAHARA, Japan (Monday, July 27, 2009) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longboard Tour (WLT) begins its waiting period tomorrow, July 28, with the Yumeya presents Oxbow WLT at Akabane Beach in Tahara Aichi. The Oxbow WLT event hosts only the finest international longboarding talent and the upcoming ASP WLT season opener will host top longboarding stars such as 2007 World Longboard Champion Phil Rajzman (BRA), 27, and up-and coming American rookie Tony Silvagni (USA), 22.

Rajzman, who finished eighth overall on last year’s ASP WLT after his year on top is back in 2009 and will be hungry to claim another ASP WLT title. The talented Brazilian finds his inspiration from his family, who are both champion athletes, proving athletic success runs in his veins.

“My parents were athletes, my father, an Olympic volleyball medalist in 1984, my mother, South American Figure skating champion, so competitive sport has always been present throughout my life,” Rajzman said. “In 2007 I finally enjoyed the taste of the victory in Biarritz, France, in a final against my friend Danilo Rodrigo. From then on, I´ve been preparing and developing new boards with Hobie and Keahana. This year I am ready to reclaim my trophy of World Champion.”

The Yumeya presents Oxbow WLT will be the former ASP World Champion’s first visit to Japan, and he is out to start his title campaign off on the right foot on his maiden voyage to the country.

“I have never been to Japan,” Rajzman said. “I´ve always been an admirer of the culture but didn´t have an opportunity like this one, so I am very excited.”

Silvagni has been working hard to on the ASP Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) and now has earned a berth amongst the elite by performing at the top of his region. Now the young American will battle it out with talents such as Rajzman to begin his inaugural ASP World Title quest.

“I am hoping for the best,” Silvagni said. “I am determined to do well and would like to be a world champion. It is everyone’s dream to be a world champ. I am expecting to do well from all the training I have been doing lately to make it in the top 10. I never sell myself short, I always strive in life to do my very best and I can’t wait It should be the best experience ever to happen to me in life and I feel blessed.”

Silvagni has been sticking to a strict training regiment over the last season that he hopes will pay off during his rookie year on the ASP WLT.

” I have been running, surfing 3-4 hours a day, dieting, and doing a ton of swimming by teaching surf lessons for my surf school business which helps my paddling and strength,” Silvagni said.

In addition to keeping himself in top physical condition, Silvagni has been competing furiously on the ASP LQS to keep his competitive mindset sharp.

“I feel that the regional tour is always getting my ready for the next contest,” Silvagni said. ” I am always competing against some of the best pro longboarders from the North America region and a few pro longboarders worldwide that have been flying over for an event. It keeps me on my feet at all times knowing that there many more pro longboarders to face worldwide in the WLT.”

The Yumeya presents Oxbow WLT will begin tomorrow July 28, 2009 and will be webcast LIVE via www.oxbowpro.com